A pedestrian plaza at 48th and Baltimore.

Spruce Hill residents have a chance to learn more about a new traffic calming and pedestrian safety proposal for the busy intersection at 43rd and Spruce Streets.

On Tuesday, Jan. 9, Nate Hommel, the director of Planning and Design at the University City District (UCD) will present a plan for a pedestrian plaza at 43rd and Spruce at the monthly Spruce Hill Community Association Board (SHCA) meeting.

Pedestrian plazas are permitted by the City of Philadelphia through its Streets Department. Pedestrian plaza hosts receive a one-year Pedestrian Enhancement Permit that is renewable for up to three years. To receive a Pedestrian Enhancement Permit, an application must be submitted and approved by the Street Department. Pedestrian plaza locations are subject to review by the City’s Chief Traffic Engineer.

Certain criteria must be met for a pedestrian plaza application to be approved, like proximity to fire hydrants, SEPTA and more. Check out application guidelines here.

One of pedestrian plazas in West Philadelphia is located at the intersection of 48th and Baltimore (see photo).

The meeting will take place at the SHCA office at 257 South 45th St., beginning at 7:30 p.m. and will also include updates on the work that SHCA committees have been doing in the neighborhood. All interested neighbors are welcome to attend the meeting in person or virtually. More information and a Zoom link are available here.